The VA will not collect copayments or cost shares until at least Oct. 1 as part of COVID-19 relief legislation signed into law March 11, solidifying a policy already in place at the agency.

The VA began pausing such collections, as well as collections on overpayments, in April 2020 as part of its pandemic response efforts. That policy ended in January but was reinstated by executive order later that month and confirmed by VA Secretary Denis McDonough in February.

[RELATED: COVID-19 Relief Bill Includes Long-Sought Change Helping Military-Connected Students]

The law ensures no collections will take place through Sept. 30, 2021, without additional action from Congress. It also states any veteran who has paid a cost share or a copayment since April 6, 2020, should be reimbursed.

VA will receive additional funds under the act for claims and appeals processing, medical care, state veterans homes, supply chain modernization, and its Office of Inspector General. It also will fund the Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance Program, providing $386 million for job-based training.

Learn more about VA copay rates at this link, and get answers to frequently asked questions about how the coronavirus has affected VA programs at this link.